Course Coordinator:Min Zhao (mzhao@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Sunshine Coast |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course allows students, in consultation with the course coordinator and supervisor, to pursue their scholarly interests in a field of study of their choice. Scholarship may take the form of, inter alia, specialist readings and reviews of literature, specialist coursework that may be available from time to time, or research projects. The scholarly activity must result in some output such as reviews, reports, presentations, or responses to examinable material. It is expected that the level of scholarship and output is equivalent to that in any corresponding level of course offered in the Faculty. Students should discuss their project proposal with an academic supervisor in their field of interest.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Independent Study/Research – Independent work is expected every week. Hours/duration will depend on the individual research. | 10hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Academic skill workshop | 4hrs | Week 1 | 3 times |
This course enables the student to pursue scholarly activities in a study field of his supervisor. In consultation with the course coordinator and special project supervisor the student will devise a project plan, undertake the related activities and report on those activities. Therefore, the topic covered in this course will be dependent on the research area of the supervisor and project.
700 Level (Specialised)
24 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
1 | Formulate goals and questions to inform independent learning activities. | Creative and critical thinker |
2 | Identify and apply specific discipline knowledge to plan, conduct and report project activities. | Creative and critical thinker |
3 | Use recognised research skills and technologies to conduct project activities. | Knowledgeable |
4 | Report on project activities and outcomes using recognised written and verbal communication. | Knowledgeable |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
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Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Support and feedback will be provided by the project Supervisor.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Practical / Laboratory Skills | Individual | 20% | 1000 words or equivalent |
Week 5 | To Supervisor |
All | 2 | Report | Individual | 50% | 3000 words or equivalent |
Week 13 | To be Negotiated |
All | 3 | Oral | Individual | 30% | 15-20 minutes |
Exam Period | To be Negotiated |
All - Assessment Task 1:Research skill | |
Goal: | The goal of this task is for you to develop research skills, e.g. laboratory skills or field work skills or skills in reviewing the literature. |
Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills |
Format: | Submit: Friday week 5 for semester or as negotiated with supervisor. To be determined in consultations with the supervisor. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 2:Project Report | |
Goal: | The goal of this task is for you to synthesise your project activities and report the outcomes of your project |
Product: | Report |
Format: | The report should be 3000 words or equivalent and submitted via Turnitin unless the format prevents this form of submission. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 3:Oral presentation | |
Goal: | The goal of this task is for you to develop your skill in using recognised oral communication strategies and to present your special project outcomes to your peers and colleagues. |
Product: | Oral |
Format: | Your presentation will be 15-20 minutes. It will be supported by appropriate visual media tools, for example PowerPoint or Prezi Due in Exam Period |
Criteria: |
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A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
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Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
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